MS Excel HLOOKUP function for approximate data

In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to use the HLOOKUP function in Excel with approximate match. Unlike the exact match option, approximate HLOOKUP is useful when your data is arranged in rows and you want to find values closest to your lookup criteria.

We’ll go step by step through an example where HLOOKUP returns results by scanning across rows, helping you analyze data like grade ranges, sales targets, or tax brackets. By the end, you’ll clearly understand when and how to use HLOOKUP with TRUE (approximate match) in Excel.